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US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people

The article from MSN discusses a significant rise in homelessness across the United States, with an 18% increase reported in the latest annual count by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This surge brings the total number of homeless individuals to over 653,000, highlighting the acute shortage of affordable housing as a primary cause. The data, collected in January 2023, shows that while there was a slight decrease in unsheltered homelessness, the overall numbers are still alarmingly high. Factors contributing to this crisis include the end of emergency financial assistance programs initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic, rising rental costs, and a lack of new affordable housing units. The article also notes regional disparities, with some areas experiencing even steeper increases in homelessness. HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge emphasized the need for more housing construction and the preservation of existing affordable units to address this growing issue.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/us-homelessness-up-18-as-affordable-housing-remains-out-of-reach-for-many-people/ar-AA1wAfXp ]